Obituary of Anthony Carlton McPhail

Anthony Carlton McPhail, affectionately known as "A.C.", was born on June 29, 1954, in La Vergne, Tennessee, to the late James and Martha McPhail. He peacefully transitioned from this life on December 6, 2025. A devoted husband, beloved father, trusted mentor, and pillar in corporate, community, and educational spaces, Anthony leaves behind a legacy built on faith, scholarship, service, and excellence Raised in Clinton, North Carolina, Anthony developed a strong foundation rooted in discipline, education, and integrity—values that shaped every aspect of his journey. He continued his academic pursuits in Baltimore, Maryland, earning a Bachelor of Science in Urban Affairs from Morgan State University in 1976. While at Morgan, he captained the baseball team in 1975 and 1976, joined Tau Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc., and helped establish the University's first peer counseling program—where he met the love of his life, Diane. His devotion to Morgan State remained unwavering, proudly declaring, "Morgan Man, Morgan Bred, Morgan Man until the day I am dead." Anthony went on to enjoy an extraordinary 35-year career with Nestlé USA, where he made company history as the first African-American Division Sales Manager in its 150-year existence. He expertly led a $100 million annual product sales portfolio and was celebrated for his remarkable work ethic, humility, and ability to uplift colleagues at every level. Anthony's heart, however, belonged to education and service. For more than 35 years, he served as Chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast for the Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter of the Morgan State University Alumni Association. Under his leadership, more than $1 million in scholarships were awarded, and hundreds of laptops were provided to deserving students. He also served proudly as Chairman of the Sampson High School Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund, investing in students from his beloved hometown of Clinton His service and leadership earned him numerous awards, including Morgan State University's Alumni-of-the-Year, as well as national recognition in Men of Courage II, a publication honoring influential African-American men across the country. A passionate collector of African-American history, Anthony curated an exceptional archive featuring autographs and artifacts from visionaries such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, and President Barack Obama. His collection served as both a tribute to the past and an inspiration for generations to come. Of all his accomplishments, Anthony took the greatest pride in his family. He shared 48 years of marriage with his devoted wife, Diane, and treasured their three children: Traci McPhail, Anthony McPhail II, and Erin Bailey (Troy Bailey). Anthony was preceded in death by his parents, James and Martha McPhail; his brother, James "Jimmy" McPhail; sisters Mary "Pumpkin" Boykin and Martha "Doll" Johnson; and nephew Dexter Boykin. He is survived by his loving wife and children; sisters Barbara Armstrong (Ellis Armstrong), Jackie Graham, and Naomi Best; his lifelong friend and Godfather to his children, Raymond Briggs (Priscilla Briggs); close friends Milburn Matthews and Kirk Tripp (Krystal Tripp); his cherished dog Zoey; and a host of nieces, nephews, fraternity brothers, and friends. Anthony's legacy lives on in the values he exemplified—love, excellence, humility, and service. His life stands as a testament to the power of discipline, faith, and purpose. His spirit will forever remain in the countless lives he touched, the students he empowered, and the family who loves him deeply. A celebration of life service for Mr. Anthony McPhail will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Morgan State University in the Turpin-Lamb theater at the Murphy Fine Arts building. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. with services to follow. The service will be livestreamed. (a URL will be provided at a later date) To send flowers or a plant to the family, please visit the Tribute Store or have them sent directly to Vaughn Green Funeral Services at 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, Maryland, 21133 by January 8th.